Scarlett Johansson has made it clear, if you’re not funny, she’s not interested.
The Hollywood icon, now 40, recently opened up about her deep connection to humor and how it’s shaped both her personal and professional life. In a candid interview with Collider, she said point-blank, “My husband’s a comedy writer, and I couldn’t imagine ever being with somebody who wasn’t funny.” Scarlett, who’s married to Saturday Night Live writer and comedian Colin Jost, explained that humor is more than just a preference for her, it’s embedded in her DNA. She grew up in a household where comedy was second nature. “My dad is Danish and has a very dry sense of humor, and my mom is Jewish, so that’s culturally a big part of our identity,” she shared. “It’s certainly a certain kind of humor, and growing up in New York, that’s another layer of it, of course.” That blend of dry wit, cultural roots, and New York sarcasm shaped how she sees the world and helps her find irony even in life’s darker moments. “So, I see the ironic humor, also, in terrible things,” she added.
Scarlett’s not just speaking her truth, she’s creating from it. She’s recently stepped behind the camera for the first time with her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, a new drama starring June Squibb and Chiwetel Ejiofor. It’s a bold move, and one that speaks to her evolving career. Scarlett, who was born in New York City, admits she didn’t set out to mimic specific filmmakers, but that the tone of the script reminded her of certain movies that had a big impact on her. “Some people have great references, and I’ve worked with people that have great references, where they say, ‘This is the Bergman moment,’ or this or whatever… I don’t think I had, really, so many references. Not intentionally.” Still, Eleanor the Great gave her all the New York indie film vibes. “The script did remind me a lot of movies that I love that are specific to independent films from the ‘90s and early aughts that are very New York-centric,” she said. She specifically mentioned Living Out Loud, Crossing Delancey, and even some Woody Allen films. That kind of grounded, personal storytelling seems to be what Scarlett’s aiming to capture as she moves into this next creative phase.
Of course, fans who’ve followed her career from the start know Scarlett’s path hasn’t been easy, especially in the early years after her breakout role in Lost in Translation. That 2003 film, where she starred alongside Bill Murray, was a career-defining moment, but it also came with frustrating baggage. In a Vanity Fair interview, she revealed how that success pigeonholed her for years. “After Lost in Translation, every role that I was offered for years was ‘the girlfriend,’ ‘the other woman,’ or a sex object, I couldn’t get out of the cycle,” she said. “It sort of felt like, ‘Oh, I guess this is my identity now as an actor.’ There wasn’t much I could do with that.” It’s pretty wild to think that one of the most talented actresses in the industry had to fight so hard just to be seen as more than a pretty face. But Scarlett never backed down. She quietly and steadily built a filmography that spans action franchises, indie gems, and now, her own directorial voice.
There’s something especially satisfying about watching her evolve into a filmmaker on her own terms. With Eleanor the Great, Scarlett’s telling a story that feels close to home, not just in its New York setting, but in its tone, its character focus, and its personal touch. She’s not trying to recreate someone else’s style or chase trends. She’s digging into the kind of storytelling she’s always loved. And through it all, her belief in humor, its power, its necessity, remains constant. Whether she’s navigating tough career choices or directing her first film, she always comes back to one thing: laughter. Her upbringing, her relationship, and even her darkest observations are filtered through a lens of irony and wit.
Scarlett Johansson isn’t just one of the most recognized faces in Hollywood, she’s also one of the most grounded. From the girl who felt stuck in “girlfriend roles” after Lost in Translation to the woman now calling the creative shots, she’s come a long way. Her story proves that funny isn’t just attractive, it’s essential. And if you don’t get the joke, well… don’t expect Scarlett to stick around.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
